COURTLAND TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - A West Michigan woman had her home child care license suspended by the state after officials say she admitted to locking children in tents "to ensure their safety."
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Child Care Licensing Bureau suspended Connie Rookus' day care on Young Ave. in Courtland Township, near Grand Rapids, on Wednesday evening, days after receiving a tip about kids being padlocked in tents during naptime.
The information came in on Feb. 1. Six days later, a licensing inspector visited the home and found at least four "play yards occupied by children that were encased in a black opaque fabric enclosure.”
The inspector said they saw children under a year old inside two of the play pens -- both had bottles with them.
Rookus admitted to "placing children in child-sized tents and locking them inside using padlocks.”
“She admitted that she knew locking the children in tents was wrong, however she did not think that it was abusive,” the state claims in their suspension order. “(Rookus) stated that it was easier to lock children in tents to ensure their safety and to know that they were not destroying things.”
Rookus told the inspector that she has been locked the children up in tents for the last two to three years.
“Based on the information provided to the Bureau, any children entering the home would be at risk of imminent harm,” the order continued.
The state said that the investigation into Rookus' home day care is ongoing, Rookus may be able to appeal the suspension.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office said it was looking into the allegations and deputies were "still in the fact finding portion of (their) investigation."
Request for charges could be submitted to the prosecutor's office if deputies find probable cause.
According to documents, Rookus has held her home child care license since 2003 at the earliest. She was initially licensed for up to six children, but she was cleared for 14 children in March of 2021.
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